Advent/Opportunity
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
There was one who came to prepare the way.
Yes, John acknowledged this to be his role.
His message, "Repent," was a message of hope.
"Repent" indeed is one of the loveliest words in our language.
We come to incorporate it into our worship today.
Let us find here an opportunity to grow in our faith.
Invocation
God, we thank you for introducing us properly to the coming of your Son. You know that the way must be readied, else we miss the significance of his coming. For the danger is that we shall not recognize him, nor the import of the message he brings. Thus, you sent your messenger John to "level" with us: Get your act together. Personally admit your need. Ready yourself to welcome a Savior into your life, one who can lift you from ever--changing patterns of error and wrongdoing onto the solid ground of truth. We use our worship today, Lord, to look at need, that our admission of need become opportunity. Help us in this task, we pray. Guide us in your way. Amen.
Call to Confession
We can easily party our way through this season and find it past before we have learned its lesson. Since the lesson is good news, divine opportunity placed before each, why would we ever consciously want to bypass its significance for our lives? Indeed, we had best take another look at the season - and at our need - that we might better see how the two intersect.
Prayer of Confession
Dear God, your servant John admonished us to probe deep within ourselves - that we clearly see wherein we fall short, acknowledge our need, and turn ourselves toward you - this in expectation of the good that you stand ready to bestow on each of us. Yet many of the activities of this season would focus our attention elsewhere. Besides, we are loathe to admit need; we'd rather not have to acknowledge our dependence upon another, even though that other showers us with good. Seize us gently but firmly, we pray, and cause us to delve deep into the spirit, our spirit. Moreover, help us then to discern what your Spirit would say to ours, for in truth you have a joyful message to share with us. Prepare us so to comprehend its wonder and its inclusiveness. This through Christ, the Revealer of your love to all. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Those who turn to God, who acknowledge need and dependence, there find One who is full of mercy and compassion, One who cares for us as a shepherd tenderly cares for his sheep. This great Keeper of the sheep will keep us from stumbling, and will lift before us opportunity, a path of righteousness, great joy, and peace, that leads to life, life as only God can bestow.
Thanks be to God for a care that never fades nor falters but is always there - for us.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 30)
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication.
"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So will my soul praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Offering Sentences
Let us bear fruits worthy of repentance. Let our offerings speak to the change, the radical change, that has taken place in our lives - that change brought about by the promise of Jesus with us - our hope for today, tomorrow, and forever. Never have we known greater opportunity for this life. How will we now express this in gifts of thanksgiving?
Prayer of Dedication
Each of these offerings, O Lord, is precious in your sight. For it represents the dedication, the loyalty, and the love of one of your servants. Taken together, they are the gifts of your people in this place. Use them now, according to your Spirit's prompting, to lead still others into that joyous experience of newness of life in your name. Touch with your love, we pray, many who otherwise would feel neglected and left out - for indeed we know that you came for all. Amen.
Benediction
The time is drawing near. This is the opportune time. A great celebration lies ahead! Let us prepare ourselves that we savor fully its significance for us and for all the world. Come, Lord Jesus; we await your birthing in us. Amen.
There was one who came to prepare the way.
Yes, John acknowledged this to be his role.
His message, "Repent," was a message of hope.
"Repent" indeed is one of the loveliest words in our language.
We come to incorporate it into our worship today.
Let us find here an opportunity to grow in our faith.
Invocation
God, we thank you for introducing us properly to the coming of your Son. You know that the way must be readied, else we miss the significance of his coming. For the danger is that we shall not recognize him, nor the import of the message he brings. Thus, you sent your messenger John to "level" with us: Get your act together. Personally admit your need. Ready yourself to welcome a Savior into your life, one who can lift you from ever--changing patterns of error and wrongdoing onto the solid ground of truth. We use our worship today, Lord, to look at need, that our admission of need become opportunity. Help us in this task, we pray. Guide us in your way. Amen.
Call to Confession
We can easily party our way through this season and find it past before we have learned its lesson. Since the lesson is good news, divine opportunity placed before each, why would we ever consciously want to bypass its significance for our lives? Indeed, we had best take another look at the season - and at our need - that we might better see how the two intersect.
Prayer of Confession
Dear God, your servant John admonished us to probe deep within ourselves - that we clearly see wherein we fall short, acknowledge our need, and turn ourselves toward you - this in expectation of the good that you stand ready to bestow on each of us. Yet many of the activities of this season would focus our attention elsewhere. Besides, we are loathe to admit need; we'd rather not have to acknowledge our dependence upon another, even though that other showers us with good. Seize us gently but firmly, we pray, and cause us to delve deep into the spirit, our spirit. Moreover, help us then to discern what your Spirit would say to ours, for in truth you have a joyful message to share with us. Prepare us so to comprehend its wonder and its inclusiveness. This through Christ, the Revealer of your love to all. Amen.
Words of Assurance
Those who turn to God, who acknowledge need and dependence, there find One who is full of mercy and compassion, One who cares for us as a shepherd tenderly cares for his sheep. This great Keeper of the sheep will keep us from stumbling, and will lift before us opportunity, a path of righteousness, great joy, and peace, that leads to life, life as only God can bestow.
Thanks be to God for a care that never fades nor falters but is always there - for us.
Psalter Reading (from Psalm 30)
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication.
"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So will my soul praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Offering Sentences
Let us bear fruits worthy of repentance. Let our offerings speak to the change, the radical change, that has taken place in our lives - that change brought about by the promise of Jesus with us - our hope for today, tomorrow, and forever. Never have we known greater opportunity for this life. How will we now express this in gifts of thanksgiving?
Prayer of Dedication
Each of these offerings, O Lord, is precious in your sight. For it represents the dedication, the loyalty, and the love of one of your servants. Taken together, they are the gifts of your people in this place. Use them now, according to your Spirit's prompting, to lead still others into that joyous experience of newness of life in your name. Touch with your love, we pray, many who otherwise would feel neglected and left out - for indeed we know that you came for all. Amen.
Benediction
The time is drawing near. This is the opportune time. A great celebration lies ahead! Let us prepare ourselves that we savor fully its significance for us and for all the world. Come, Lord Jesus; we await your birthing in us. Amen.
